End gate foe wagons



" (No Model.)

2 Sheets-.-Sheet 1. J. D. MACK.

END GATE FOR WAGONS.

No. 292,931. Patented Feb. 5, 1884.

I fliiorney,

(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

J. D. MACK. END GAT; FOR WAGONS. No. 292,931. Patented Feb. 5 1884.

I izarney.

UNrrnn Starts PATENT @rrrce.

JOSIAH D.

MACK, or SALEM, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF To ononen H.

nnDwAY, or ALBANY, new YORK.

END-GATE FORWAGONS SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.292,931, dated February 5, 1884.

v i Application filed August 30,1883. (X model.)

a may be released by the grasp made to pull the gate-open; and withthese ends in View my invention consists in the novel features ofconstruetion and arrangement hereinafter de scribed and specificallyclaimed.

In order that those skilled in the art to which inyinvention appertainsmay know how to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe itsconstruction and operation, referring by letters to the accompanyingdrawings,

in which I Figure 1 is a plan view of one of the rear corners of awagon-body with the end-gate partially open, and presenting an insideview of one of the fasteners secured to the inside of the gate, andadapted to be operated from the rear or outside. Fig. 2 is a plan Viewwith the gate closed and the upper portion broken away to expose thefastener. Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1, but of a modified form offastener, adapted to be 'opera.ted from the inside. Fig. 4 is a similarview to Fig. 2,.showing the fastener exhibited at Fig. Fig. 5 is afull-sized detail view of the fastener shown at Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a planview of the same,

with the locking lip or nose, which is secured to the side-board of thewagon.

lips used, according to the design of the rear end of the wagon and thelocation of the fastener 011 the end-gate, the said lips and plates theinside or outside of the end-gate, as may be desired, and near to thetop, is secured the fastener, which consists of a plate D, provided withsuitable holes, through which securingscrews pass into the end-gate. Ata point about central of the plate is pivoted, by apiv- 0t, 12,alever-catch, E, adapted to have its forward end riseup and across aslotor opening, a, in the plate D, through which a beveled eatclrlip, F,secured to the side of the wagon, passes. The opening 0 in the castingis provided with a raised projection, d, which serves as a stop to limitthe upwardmovement of the lever E, as clearly indicated at Figs. 5 and 7The operating end of the lever E is extended laterally, as shown at G,to provide a surface against which the fingers may be pressed to operatesaid lever, (see Figs. 6 and 8,) and on the topsurface it is providedwith a short teat, 0, Figs. 5 and 7 adapted to enter one end of a spiralspring, which is confined between the upper surface of the rear end oflever D and a box or keeper, I, cast on the plate D, said spring servingto force the opposite end of the lever upward positively. The rearportion of the lever may be so increased in weight, or the pivot 11 solocated, as to accomplish the desired movement of the lever by gravity;but I prefer to-use the spring. \Vhen the fastener is designed to besecured in place on, and to be operated from the inside of, thegate, theportion G of the lever need not be projected laterally to anyconsiderable extent; but when the fastening is to be arranged so as tobe operated on the rear or outside, the portion G is extendedsufficiently to pass through a mortise in the endgate, and project asuffieient distance to be operated by the fingers, and, when soconstructed, I employ a plate or boX of cast metal, Jsuch as shown atFig. 9of any desired shape or configuration necessary to conceal thelever and furnish a neat finish.

The upper surface, f, of the latch end of the leve is beveled tocorrespond with the bevel /b the lower surface of the catch-lip F, sothat the former will be automatically forced down- 5 ward by said lip Fas it passes into and through the slot 0. The lip F is provided on theunder side with a cross slot or channel, into which tlreend f of thelever D innnediately locates 6' itself whenthegate 10 looking or closedposition.

[5 position, and the upper bevel serving to lift the gate into theproper position to render the latching certain and effective. The catchF is formed with any suitable-shaped plate, K, (see Figs. 10, 11, 12,and 14,) by which it is secured to the inside of the side-boards in arigid, strong manner by screws or bolts, serving also to strengthen thejoint or corners of the frame of said side-boards.

When it is desired to apply my improved 5 fastening to end-gates ofround-cornered wagons, the lip F is made upon the end of a curved iron,such as shown at Fig. 13.

By reference to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the plate or casting D maybe formed with a 0 return, g, to conceal the space left by cutting theframe of the gate to allow it to pass the lip F.

One of my improved catches is secured near the top and at each end ofthe end-gate; and it 3 5 will be readily seen that when placed on theinside of the gate the hands are placed over the top edge of the gate topull it down, and, while grasping the gate, the endsof the fingers arepressed against the under side of the 40 lateral projection G- of thelevers E, which causes the same to vibrate on their pivots b, andrelease the catch-lips F; and when the fasteners are arranged to beoperated from the outside the fingers are placed under the under edge ofthe concealing-plate J, and against the projection G, the plate Jserving in the capacity of a draw-pull. It will be understood that inopening the gate it is not necessary to operate several devicessuccessively, (which is always difficult, especiallyin loaded orstrained bodies,) and'that in closing the gate the parts all actautomatically.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A fastener adapted to be secured to an end gate of a wagon,consisting of a plate, D, having a slot or opening, 0, for the passageof the catch-lip on the side of the wagon, and having pivoted thereto avibratory or rocking lever, E, the end f adapted to enter a gate orchannel in the catch-lip, and the opposite end, G, extended laterally toreceive pressure from the fingers of the operator, substantially ashereinbefore set fort 2. The plate D, provided with the pimted lever E,formed as described, and having the slot or opening 0, with the raisedprojection (l, whereby the upward movement of the end f of the lever islimited, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the plate D and lever E, constructed and arrangedas described, the box or keeper I, teat e, and spring H, whereby thelever is positively operated, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

4. In combination with the end-gate of a wagon provided with the platesD and-latchlevers E, as described, the catch-lips F, secured to thesides ofthe wagon, and formed with beveled sides and securing-channel,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JOSIAH D. MACK \Vitnesses:

CURTIS LAMMOND, F. L. Bnownn.

